Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-09-24
DISCUSSING THE LAW.
THE coUPoN-cRUsHER" BEFORE
UNITED STATES JUDGE POND.
Mr.. Ayers Concludes and Is Followed BY
Mr.. ngfellow-Co Colonel
Gordon Next.

hIkumcUb btAoIo JuuSS DOuu 0SSOch-
day morning alto o'clock.
The courtroom, which is cosy
but not spacious, consists Of what
was formerly the double parlors
OF the Grant residence-the func-
tionarics of this tribunal of the
Fedorsd Government having been
driven ont OF the custOm-house build
ing pending the remodelling Of that
structure. Where the Judge sits is the
end Of the room nearest the "Jef
Davis house." now public school, and
from which the ringing voices of the
children at play in the recess hour,
break upon the Court throwing into the
dry technical discussion a flavor OF
youth aud hope
Tire attendance at court yesterday
was laTge-members Of the legal profes-
sion largelyspredominating.
THE LAW.
Attorney General Ayers resumed his
argument, and proceeded to lay before
the Judge great chunks of law and au-
thOIities to show that this was in fact
the State of Virginia being sued,
and that, stripped of all disguises, it
was an injunction forbidding an act of
Assembly being put into operation.
He presented his case with ability,
clearness,' and dignity, and then gave
way to his associate, Colonel W. w.
Gordon.
COLONEL, GORDON.
This gentleman said that he under
stood this case was fixed for the 2Gth
instead of the 22d. Upon receiving
Mr.. Ayers's telegram yesterday he had
abandoned all his business in New
York and hastened to return. He could
not say that he was wholly unprepared,
but he did not feel that he could with
justice to the case go on now with the
argument. What he asked was that he
should he permitted TO defer his re-
marks until this morning.
All the counsel seemed to assent,
and Judge Bond nodded concurrence.
lie WANTS BRIEFS.
Judge Bond suggested that some of
the counsel might useiully employ
themselves mean time in preparing
briefs for the Court. He had rs yet
seen none such.
Mr.. Ayers said that he had his brief
ready.
Major Leigh r. Page: We have some
Memoranda Of that sort
MAJOR sTHINGFELLow.
Tie Major now took the floor to pre-
sent further argument in support of the
hondh6ldcrs' cause. He produced an
thority, which he insisted established
that the true definition of the word
"proccCdings" meant proceedings
o0cr the institution Of the suit. Hence
he concluded that these injunctions did
not interfere with any proceedings )" in
State courts-the order only restraining
Marye and Witt and other attorneys
for the Commonwealth from bringing
suits.
STATE COURTS.
Major Stringfcllow said that, taken in
conjunction with the two acts requiring
the production OF the bond and ruling
out expert testimony, he thought it i'm
possible that the coupon-tcnderers
could get justice in State courts, not
that the judges would disregard their
oath. but because they would regard
it-that is TO say, the Supreme Court Of
Virginia, whose decisions the State
courts are bound to observe, have de-
clored constitutional acts, Of which the
" "Crusher is sequel, and the inferior
courts would be bound 10y that decision.
THEY WANT THEIR "RIGHTs."
Major Stringiclow most stringently
guarded his remarks from any accusa-
lion of unfairness of the State courts,
hut he said such were the Virginia
Supreme Court decisions 1t would be
impossible for the ccupon-tenderers to
prove the gonuineness Of the coupons
under the required conditions hence
the propriety Of their appeal to this
court for redress of the wrongs sought
10 be inflicted. The whole series of
acts eliminating in the coupon-crusher
were, he declared, unconstitutional.
To 60 from q Richmond court to the
Virginia Supreme Court from the lat
ter to the United States court, would
or might mean four. years delay OF
Justice. They invoked the protection
Of this court to save them from the de-
privation Of those rights guaranteed to
them i'll their contract.
BRIFFs-AGAIN.
-.